Mass Effect
3 is the epic final chapter of a trilogy I have sunk more time into than any
other series. While this review does seem a bit late, with the release of the
Extended Cut DLC, the game is now more complete than it was on release. So now
seems like a good time to review it.
Mass Effect
3 follows the continuing adventures of Commander Shepard and the crew of the
SSV Normandy, as the galaxy erupts into a ferocious war against the
organic-decimating machines, the Reapers. Shepard’s task is to build an army
the likes of which the galaxy has never seen, and solve the
thousands-of-years-old issues that cause tensions between the various alien
races.
Allying these
races against the Reapers forms the main brunt of the story. Unlike in Mass
Effect 2, which saw Shepard attempting to recruit highly skilled individuals
for his suicide mission against the Collectors, the stakes are bigger and
Shepard needs to convince the entire galaxy to forget the grudges of the past.
While this
may seem like it makes for a much less personal story, the ability to import
your saves from the previous two games means that there is a much greater
connection to your individual Shepard. It is easily the most
emotionally-affecting title in the franchise, as we see Shepard struggle to
deal with the losses he has encountered (and in most cases, caused) over the
years, as we see well-loved characters die, and as we see races teeter on the
brink of extinction.
As you
assist individual characters, militaries and races, you gain War Assets which
add to your Galactic Readiness meter. This essentially determines how well
prepared the galaxy is for the inevitable final battle and is integral to the
success or failure of the end-game. It’s a system that works well, and it does
an excellent job of letting you know how well you are doing.
As an
evolution from the original Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 was astounding. Clunky
combat and menu systems were streamlined, and the game was pretty much as
polished as it could be. So it’s little wonder that, while Mass Effect 3
definitely improves on its predecessor, it’s not as big a leap forward as the
previous sequel. But the important thing is that it does improve. Tedious
mechanics like planet scanning are minimised to their bare essentials, movement
is slicker as Shepard can now roll, make prompted jumps across gabs and climb
ladders, and the Galaxy Map is easier to navigate (with an added threat of
Reapers chasing your miniaturised Normandy).
But not
every change works as well. Side missions are given to you awkwardly, as you
overhear conversations on the Citadel (essentially a galactic Hub) and then
dispatch yourself to solve these people’s problems. It’s a little like hearing
someone in the street say they fancy a sandwich, and then you decide to return
in a week with a sandwich for them. It’s awkward, and they feel a little
pointless in the grand scheme of things, despite the fact that you gain War Assets
for these little detours.
It’s a good
job then that the main story missions work so well. Each one feels relevant and
worthy of the time of the galaxy’s saviour. The conversation and choice system
works the best it ever has, and your choices feel like they have a genuine
impact in determining the fates of entire species. Combat is also mildly
improved over Mass Effect 2. The cover-based third person shooting feels fast
and fluid, with the game’s Powers system bringing an excellent balance and some
stunning effects. The addition of a heavy melee (which differs for each class)
also brings a different, welcome aspect to fights.
The AI of
your squad works well, and they are often useful in fights, only going down if
you aren’t paying enough attention to them. The enemy AI also provides a great
challenge. They won’t just stick to cover and pop up like Whack-A-Moles, they
will throw grenades, attempt to flank, and generally try their best to kill
you. There are a variety of different types of enemies and each one requires a
different set of tactics, which keeps the gameplay feeling fresh on your
umpteenth playthrough.
Now, as this
review is being written because of the Extended Cut DLC, I should mention the
endings (spoiler-free). I was one of the people unhappy with the game’s
original endings. I thought they were full of plot-holes, were very vague, and
were just generally unsatisfying for someone who has invested 5 years and
between 20-30 combined playthroughs of all three games. But with the addition
of this DLC, I no longer feel like I’ve wasted my love on this franchise. Each
ending feels satisfying and any previous inaccuracies are explained away well.
I sat through my ending with a grin on my face the entire way through. That
says a lot when I was previously so disappointed.
Despite
being a story-and-character-driven game, Bioware decided to include a
multiplayer component to Mass Effect 3. It could very easily have gone wrong,
but thankfully it works amazingly well. Each match gives you Galactic Readiness
to use in your single-player game and being able to play as each of the galaxy’s
races is a treat. You haven’t played Mass Effect 3 until you have head-butted a
Brute to death as a Krogan. Combine the excellent gameplay with Bioware’s
continued free updates, and this becomes a multiplayer mode I will gladly sink
many more hours into.
Fans of the
series play Mass Effect for the story, for the characters, and for the
fascinating universe that Bioware has created. Mass Effect 3 does not
disappoint. It’s a thrill to play and is a world I will continue to engross
myself in for many years to come. If you haven’t given this excellent franchise
a shot yet, do yourself a favour and pick it up.
By Paul Brown
Developer: Bioware
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360 (Reviewed), Windows, Wii U
Genre: Action RPG/FPS
Release Date: 15 June 2012
Price: £39.99/$69.99
By Paul Brown
